Chariton courier. (Keytesville, Chariton County, Mo.) 1878-current, 1887-02-03
DON'T BE AFRAID 10 SA Y
g N(ln,

Ernest, won't you stay at hom,
to-night?' These words were ut
tered by Eva Christopher as she
twined her plump arms around the
neck of her young husband.
They had been married only -four
months; and he had already given
up her society, with her innocent
talk and loving words, for s'the
boys" She loved him with all hel
strength yet she could be trampled
upon to certain limit and no fur
ther. Within her loving nature was a
strong will. Her husband loved her,
but bad company had poisoned his
appetite, and would lure HIM from
the pure and noble.
She had married him on promise
that is, he had promised never to
become intoxicated again, If she
would only he his wife, and she,
trusting in him with her whole heart
married him, thinking that when once
he had home he would ''settle
down" and become steady man.
''No, Eva, dear, promised John
Back that l would go with him to
the fair tomorrow, and must meet
him tonight at his home so that we
may get an early start. 1 will he
home with you tomorrow night"
The arms released their clasp, the
eyes filled with tears, the quivering
mouth fingered one moment on his
brow, and with a faint goodnight
she left the room.
After he had gone and the door
closed, Eva came back into the neat
little parlor, and kneeling upon the
floor, her hands cIasped over her
heart and her eyes raised pleadingly
to our Heavenly Father, she prayed !:
go, God! if Thou nearest the
voice of the sinner, listen, oh listen,
and help me God ere it Is too late.
Lead him to see his pltlful condi-
ton and to turn and seek Fhy haven
of rest. Oh, God do not forsake me
in my hour of trouble, for the faith
of the sinner is weak, but lead me
to see the light of Thy love, and then
1 will realize that God heareth all
even me. o, Ernest! if you would
only bestow upon me the affection
you once did, our home would be a
nest of joy; but, as it is, the bitter
worm-wood is eating my hearts
blood away. God, once more, L ask
you to help and strengthen me in
dark hours. Amen"
She rose from her kneeling posi-
ton, but not to retire for rest. She
could not sleep. Her body burned
with fcverish heat. The next
morning she arose unrefreshed; but.
with a point determined to pursue.
The day wore away, evening came,
the sun set in the glowing west, and
with sunset came a reeling, tottering
form through the gate. OH such a
foolish, idiotic laugh. 1t reminded
one of the grin of an idiot. No ex-
preston in the eye-the window of
the soul. No intelligence in the
speech. Oh! man, what manner of
thing art thou? Eva saw; and all
her anger fled. A dead calm fell
that instant on her. Speeches.,
fixed she stood, and with a look that
never wandered, gazed intently upon
his form. Then, rising from her
seat she gently led him to the sofa,
fixed him as comfortably as possible,
smoothed back the curling locks from
his brow Of marble whiteness, I'M
printed kiss upon the cold forehead
and left him to his rest.
She went to the room put change
of clothing in small valise, sat down
by the table and wrote these lines:
Ny DEAR HUSBAND. This is the
last time that / shall ever address
you by that name. Our life since
marriage has not been what it should
have been-only because I did not
give you time to reform before hand.
l do not blame you for our unhappy
life, for could have avoided 1t, mad
l only said the right word at the right
time. Tonight when you came
home IN the condition you were
/ could not remain under your care
any longer. I need husband that
will lead me to God. You only keep
me back, and thus two souls are lost;
where, were they differently situated,
both might be saved.
My love for You, Dear Ernest,
shall always remain as undaunted as
time; and may God lead you to see
that l am taking the right course.
Don't look for me, please, for / will
never come back, unless you are
dangerously i'll, in which case it's my
duty to watch over and care for you,